Rabat – On Monday, a UN nuclear organization, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) informed that several African countries are considering using nuclear power, including Morocco.
Last Saturday during a visit to Nairobi, IAEA Senior Advisor for Policy and Strategy, Anne Starz said nuclear energy is an “obvious attraction for African countries that are keen to develop reliable sources of power to enhance their growth prospects.”
“Additionally, Morocco has expressed interest to use nuclear power, while Kenya, Nigeria and Egypt have already taken the decision to use nuclear energy,” Anne Starz revealed.
Starz also noted that IAEA has decided to help African nations with the development of nuclear energy for electricity generation.
“While the UN nuclear agency will advise African states on international standards and best practices, national regulators will have to oversee the individual country’s nuclear power programs,” she added.
Morocco has signed four nuclear cooperation agreements over the past eight years.
In 2007, nuclear power company Areva (French multinational) signed an agreement with Morocco’s OCP Sharifian Phosphate Office (Office Chérifien des Phosphates) to recover uranium from phosphoric acid.
In the same year, Morocco signed a nuclear energy cooperation agreement with France to develop a nuclear power plant near Marrakesh.
Later in January 2010, government officials announced plans for two nuclear reactors to start operation after 2020.
In January 2011, the Moroccan government approved plans to set up a nuclear safety agency and draft a law on nuclear security.
